Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-11-02

lads to the other. AS these deveI-
oped into strong men, Katie bloomed
into still greater beauty, as was APP
parent to other young men of the
village, aud Rob Steffel ventured to
intimate as much, in rough fashion,
to the girl. The following day his
place In the boat was empty; he was
sick, his father said; the truth was,
Rob would not show his discolored
face. From that time the young fel.
lows held themselves aloof from Katie
Mason. But between Lars and Chris
toph the old intimacy began gradually
to diminish. They went with Katie
to her first dance. Vino should be
her first partner? They disputed long
over it out of the girls hearing, and
at last, with heated faces, appealed
to her to choose between them. Katie
looked at them, aud for the first time
felt misgiving that il she chose one
the other would be deeply hurt.
So she said: sit makes no difference
to me which dance with first, but if
it is OF so much account to you. draw
CUTS" They did so, and Christoph
was the lucky one. While they We're
settling the matter Katie looked on
with apparent Indifference, but her
heart beat fast under her bodice, and
when it was decided she almost uncon-
sciously smiled with evident pleasure.
Lars saw it and from that day jeal-
| ousy began to take root deeper and
deeper in his heart, and there was no
lack of occasion to develop it. Mar
grit Hermenson, Katie's best friend,
went to the altar to plight her faith.
Katie was chosen to carry the wreath,
accompanied by Christoph. When
Lars heard of it he opposed it vehe-
mently.
Both young men grew violent, and
| only Katie's presence of mind in de-
claring she did not wish to go to the
wedding prevented perhaps the very
worst outbreak of Lars passionate
storm of anger. After that the two
avoided each other as mucn as possible,
but sought to be with Katie. Each knew
that the other loved the girl, and
both felt secretly conscious to whom
Katie's heart inclined. Christoph,
the calmer and more self-possessed, felt
silent, blissful happiness taking po-
session of his heart when the girl
looked at him with her blue eyes so
sweetly and kindly. Lars, more We
hement, believed at times that Katie
loved him, her manner was always so
cordial. But, again, when he saw her
with Christoph, g. voice within told
him that he was not the favored one,
and he suffered bitter torment. So
it had gone on till the evening when
the young fishermen returned together
from the shore. Christoph e heart
beat fast at the quiet peaceful scene
in old Mason's cottage, and it drew
him back with irresistible power to
leave q greeting for the beloved one.
But after he had entered the hall, In
bis effort to close the door, so violent
ly flung open by the storm, he sud-
denly became conscious of Katie in
his arms. And while it ragged and
stormed without he kissed her, and
in wild happiness he whispered:
"K atie, do you love me?" She did
not answer, but her lips pressed his.
the shore mending his boat, when
Rob Steffel came by.
"You are early, though you came
home late. We're you with your
sweetheart :"
Lars looked at him red with anger.
He struck the wood with his axe, and
the chips flew far around.
"Hoho I" continued the other,
"you did not have good luck, it
seems"
"Keep still !" cried Lars. "What is
is it to you whether have good luck
or not ?"
Rob Steffel stepped nearer. "You
are unjust to me-" he said. GA big
fellow ike you should not take it so
meekly. Christoph has plainly taken
the fish away from you"
Lars made no answer, but his hand
clasped the axe convulsively. "You
and [ have no love for Christopb,"
continued Rob; ''let us join together
against him." and he held out his
hand.
ST want nothing to do with you,"
replied Lars, and turned away, resum-
ing his work.
Rob Steffel laugh ed scornfully and
went away, but the sting that his
words contained remained in Lars
breast. When the other was out Of
hC OO"l LIS dASy e1uu WSQU
back to the village. Slowly, with
down-cast head, he walked. Before
hehouse of old Mason hepaused, then
with sudden resolution he entered.
But, as if bound, he stood in the door-
way;i in the room stood Katie tenderly
embraced by Chrlstoph. A painful
silence prevailed for q moment, then
Christoph stepped toward Lars, put
out his hand, and said: "Katie is my
betro5hed since last evening. INTENDED
to come Directly to you and ellyou."
He did not answer, only q bitter
smile quivered on his lips. 1t was ex-
cessiveIy painful to the girl. She felt
what blow she had given him,
though blameless herself. She longed
to say something to him, but could
not find the right word. So she only
looked at him, and without speaking
held out her hand to him, but
he turned away and left the house.
Toward noon the shore was alive